Apparatus for gauging jacks



ct. 4, 1949. C. w. ANDERSON ET AL 2,483867 APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS Filed May 8, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet l Q Q 3 5 n, /Nl/ENTO/?5 Q CIA/ANDERSON LOHANSEN D'EOVE/PM YER BY ATTORNEY Get. 4; 1949. c. w. ANDERSON ET AL 2,483,867

APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS Filed May 8, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Get. 4, 194

C. W. ANDERSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS Filed May 8, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 JJ I G mm wh IIL VEN TOPS C W A NQERSOA/ L. 0 HANSEN A TTORNE Y D E OVE/VWE/P Get, 4, 1949. c. w. ANDERSON ET AL I A APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS Filed'May 8, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTO/FNEY Oct. 4,1949. c. w. ANDERSON ETAL 2,433,367

APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS 9 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed May 8, 1946 oW/w lNVENTORS v C WANDEPSON L. D. HANSEN D E OVE/PMYER A T TOPNEY Oct. 4, 1949. c. w. ANDERSON ETAL 2,483,867

I APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS v Filed May s, 1946 Q-Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTORS (I. M! A NDE RS 0N L. D. HANSE N D. E. Ol/ERMYER By M A TTORNEY c. w. ANDERSON ET AL 2,483,867

APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS I Oct. 4, 1949.

9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 8, 1946 lNVENTO/RS CWANDERSO/V L0. HANSEN D. E. OVER/WW5? ATTORNEY c; w. ANDERSON ETAL APPARATUS FOR GAUGING JACKS Filed-May s, 1946 9 Shuts-Sheet e m/l/lvroks CW ANDERSON L.D.H/IN5EN DEOVERMYH? 3 Q 9N mum EN mm mvw wmw www Em A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 4, 1949 S T PATIENT OFFICE- APPARATUS FOR GAUGING-JACKS Chester" W. Anderson, Pleasantville, Lloyd D. Hansen, Fanwood," and Dwight E. OVerm-yer, Plain-field, N.'-J.,- assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated-New York, N. Yi, a; corporation ofNcw York 1'7 Claims;

This inventionrelates to apparatus-forgaging jacks, and more particularly-forgaging theten sion of springs of 1 jack" strips employed in the art of telephony In'tlie telephoneart; a-jack is a-ineans for connecting twocircu-its together in which one circuit terminates aphlg and the other circuit terminates in the jacki Usually the jackconsists ofatubular-bushing of conductive'ma terial known as asleeveand arrassemhlyof contact springs insulated from" each other: and clamped to the frame-of the j ackat the-end farthest from the sleeve.- A jackstrip is composed of-a plurality ofjacks," usually-l0 or assem bled on a common mounting plate. In each jack there is atipspringand aring springwhich receive their titles irom the portion-s of the plu'gthey are to engage. The forward'or tip" end at the plug has a. conductive portion-which is to engagethe tip spring: A ring of cond-uctive material in the-pluginsulatcdfromthe-tip isto engage thering spring. These springs areunde'r little or no tension when the plug is not'inser-ted in the jack. The---insertion of aplug into the jack results in flexing the tip andring springs away from their-respectivenormal positionscreating tensions therein:

To insure proper'o-peration of 'a'jack, certain spring tension requirements-= are specified; The tension requirement usually: specified for. the tipspringis. that it must: not be more th'an. fif.tysix ounces when a plug ofstandard dimensions is-inserted into the jack; The tension1require-: merits usually specified for the ring. spring-is that it must be at least twenty-three OIR lOGS WilGDi the plug is inserted intoth'e jack; Since theplug must be of smaller diameter than the sleeve-0t the jack, there is a possibility-of tipand ring spring adjustment which: would cause. theplug. tobesupported only-b the tip-and rin'g springs and float in' or-make'unreliableeleotrical contact with the-sleeve. To overcome-this condition; the usualrequirement is that-the tip spring 'ten sion must be greater' than the-ring 'spring tension by at least fourteenounces which is k'nownwas the difierential requirement: A jack meeting this -differential requirement will force the plug against the-sleeve to insure properelectrical "contact-therewith, the extra forceor tension in the tip spring causing a pivotal action of the plug about the'ring spring 'to assure contact' of "the pli g'with the sleeve of the-jack;

An object "of itheinvention is-to provide a gag-- apparatus for article's having flexible-membersz. and-:1 which indicates -:whether or: not the 2 tensions ofth'e members of thearticles are'with in given limits when flexed to the positions they will "assume" in commercial use.

Broadly; the invention comprisesan apparatus including a nose, receivable in a jack having-tip and ring springs; lever-elements in the" nose mounted for relative movement responsive to the tension in 'the tip and ring springs which in turn control electrical contacts to indicatewhether or not the said tensions in-"the springs are with: irrgiven limits.

Considering the invention more specifically'the noseof' the apparatus is similarin contour to a standard telephone-plug and'h'as openings in opposing'sides thereof *forthe tip and ring springs of" jacks moved successively into engagement with the-nose. Elements, in the form of levers; mounted onseparate pivots'ad-jacent to the nose and individuallysupported by'flexilole tapes at their centers of gravity have their forward'ends positioned in the nose to beengaged respectively by the tip and ring springs of the jacks, their rearmost ends being held normally from electrical contactsunder given-forces of adjustable springs.- The electrical 'contacts,- together with the springs controlling therearmost ends of the elements are-supported by afloating table suspended-from flexible tapes. A contact arm fixedly-mounted on th e 'floating tableis normallyheld -againsta stop by a sp'ringwhich' functions also to hold the table normally against movement. An electrical contact is-positioned to be engaged by the contact arm-when the-"necessary differential tension is present in the tip andring springs, this ten sion differential causing lateral movement'oi the table against the force exerted by-the spring.

An'indexin'g or feeding mechanism includin a longitudinally movable carriage and alateral-ly movable suppcrt 'onthe carriage 'is equipped to receive jack-strips of various types with different numbers of= jacks=therein and toaccurately feed the jacks successively to the nose. Clamping means is also provided in the indexing mechanism to holdeaoh jack strio against displacement and: to-straighten the jack strip for accurate alignment of the jacks with the nose-should the iackstrip 'be-bowedor warped; Other means in the indexing mechanism protects the nose of the apparatus by first temporaril aligning a jacket the strip with the nose and secondly, positively v aligning the-jack with the nose'prior to the movement of-the jack strip into a position where-it can engage the nose.

Other objects and'advantages will be apparent ironi the followingdetailed description" when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the gaging apparatus, portions thereof being removed to illustrate certain of the detailed structures;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the apparatus, portions thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the nose;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lever-like elements and the nose structure;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along the line 6--6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of the indicating lamps, their electrical circuits and the associated mechanical parts;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the indexing mechanism showing the support in the gaging position;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the indexing mechanism with the support in. the loading position;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the indexing mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the indexing mechanism, portions thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line l2l2 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line l3l3 of Fig. 11.

Referring now to the drawings, attention is first directed to Figs. 1 to 5,. inclusive, which illustrate a frame structure I5 supporting the various elements of the apparatus including the indexing mechanism. A nose I6 is fixed to the front of a bracket H which is mounted upon a front face of the frame l5. The outwardly projecting portion of the nose I 6 is hollow and is provided with openings l8 and 9 at opposite sides thereof and in out-of-aligned positions to receive the tip and ring springs 20 and 2| respectively (Fig. 5) of jacks to be tested. The outer diameter of the nose is substantially of the same dimensions as the standard telephone plug, the outwardly curved inner portion 23 conforming to the mouths of the sleeves of the jacks to be tested.

Elements 25 and 26 in the form of long levers have reduced short ends 21 and 28 respectively receivable within the nose It and formed so that the tip spring 26 will engage only the portion 2'! of the element 25 and the ring spring 2| will engage only the portion 28 of the element 26. The elements 25 and 26 have their respective pivots 29 and 3B which extend through both elements with a snug fit in their respective elements and clearance through their opposing elements whereby there may be free pivotal movements of the elements relative to each other for the dis tances required for gaging the jacks. The ends of the pivots 29 and 38 are supported in bearinglike portions of the bracket 11. The elements 25 and 26 are supported at their centers of gravity by flexible tapes 33 and 34, the tape 33 having its lower end connected to the element 25 by a bracket 35 while a stirrup 36 connects the lower end of the tape 34 to the element 26. The upper ends of the tapes 33 and 34 are connected to arms 31 and 38 which extend upwardly into a block 39 and are adjusted vertically through the aid of screws 4|] and 4| in a manner similar to the illustration in the upper left hand portion of Fig. 2 as will hereinafter be described.

Members and 46 are mounted at the rear most ends of the elements 25 and 26 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. Aligned apertures are provided in projections of the members 45 and 46 to receive wires 41 and 48 respectively, balllike portions 49 on the inner ends of the wires holding the adjacent ends in their respective apertures. The wire 41 extends through a central opening in a stop screw 5| where an eyelet 52 formed in the outer end of the wire is connected to the adjacent end of a spring 53. The other end of the spring 53 is connected to an internally threaded member 54 which is movably mounted in an aperture of a bracket 55 and an aligned aperture of a block 55. A screw 51 extending through the block 53 and into the mem ber 54 may be employed to cause movement of the member to vary the tension in the spring 53 and in this manner vary the force supplied to the ele ment 25 for testing the tip spring 20.

The bracket 55 is mounted upon a floating table and. helps in supporting the table through a flexible tape 6| which connects the bracket to an internally threaded member 62. The member 62 extends into an opening in the frame 15 and is held by a screw 63 in a block 64mounted upon the frame. A spring 65 holds the member 62 downwardly in a position governed by the adjustment of the screw 63. Another structure identical with that just described including the spring El and its connecting mechanism for supporting one side of the table 60 is provided for the other side of the table and is given like reference numerals. The floating table 60 is thus suspended from the springs 6|, its adjustments being made through the screws 63. In making adjustments of the table, the operator may determine when the table is in the desired position through the aid of corn tact screws Ill, H, 12 and 13 positioned in pairs, one above and one below the table at each end thereof and included in electrical circuits (not shown) to illuminate indicating lamps if so desired to notify the operator if the position of the table is not in a truly horizontal plane. For example, it is desirable that the table float freely between the contacts and if the table should touch any of the contacts, indicating circuits will be closed to notify the operator accordingly.

A substantially U-shaped bracket 15 is mounted upon the table 60 and with the table surrounds the inner or rearmost ends of the elements 25 and 26. A support 16 for the contact screw 5i is mounted upon and insulated from th bracket 15 through the aid of screws 11. A similar stop screw 18 through the center of which the wire 48 passes, is carried by a support 19 which is mounted upon and insulated from the table within the bracket by the aid of screws 80. The inner end of a spring 3| is connected to an eyelet 82 formed in the outer end of the wire 48 and through similar mechanism including the ad- J'acent internally threaded member 54 and the adjusting screw 51. The force in the spring 8| applied to the adjacent end of the element 28 may be varied through the adjustment of its screw 51 and member 54. Openings 84 are formed in the bracket 15 for the springs 53 and 8!. Contact screws 85 and 86 are supported near their respective members 45 and 46 of the elements 25 and 26 by L-shaped conductive members 8! and 88, they being respectively insulated from and connected to the floating table 60 and the bracket 15 by screws 89 and 9D. The contact screws 85:2-andi85 may besadjnstedi with: respect:

distance; allowed for the movement.ofis'theselee- 111811135325 land-:26 ibef oreitheyiwilhcomplete electrical circuits to: indicate the; condition Ofil the: springsand 2I .of the; jack being-tested; Attention at this :time. is directed-stalling. 13;.w-hich illustrates thegeneral. contour 1' ot: the; floating: table. fiIlsincluding-sth'e forwardlyr-extendingapons tion:.92 :(Figs; 1 Land .3) integral.:witm;ther.-,maint portion: or therfloating tableadj acent ethe center ofi theiforwardedgesthereofr The floating table;

is freelto moveina horizontalqplane withinygiven:

limits butiis; kept within these: limits -.bya; pivot: screw; 9% carried in ;.a-- threaded;bracket 195 of-rithe frame i5;.the upper endzotzthescrewszbeingrrer ceivabler-in atrecesszilt in thegforward, POItiOHlOfI.

the-gprojectionz92yof fthe; table 69; This: connece tion; is; maintainedthrough: the aid-3.05 another: screw or keeper-9! al-t-houghjt-is spaced; from: the.- upper). surface-0f-thetable 6!] supported: by. a: bracket 98 :ofthe-frame I5;

A contact arm-:I finds-mounted zuponzthe floating table :60 and 'insulateditherefrom: byr'the aid; of; screwsg-I ti and insulating,;members,== I32," (Fig.5 6). at a positionznearthe rearmost:edgegthereoffin. general alignment :with the levers i and 26; A bracket I t3z fixedly rnounted upon the frame I5: extends upwardly above the ifloating qtable ,5 B I and has spacedportions lMeand lllinwhich extend over-:thetable at spaced-positions upon-each side of the contactarm' I001: Brackets;lfit iandqlfil. are: mounted upoIr and;;insulated; from the "POI-f tions I 04 and I I 05 'respectively the vertical por.-: tions of the brackets .bein rspaced-yfroin and-pare al'lel with-the contact arms: A backstop; irrthe form of a screw I 98: disposedrin.aithreadedropens ingin the-bracket EI 06,- limits 'thezmovement of; the contact .armto the left, while .a;contactscreW:=I'0&;i disposed in a-threadedu-opening in the :bracket ")1, is positioned to be engaged by the contact armnpon movement :ofthe contact arrma igiven istance-ito the right. Arod I I0;(Figs.'.3;.6 and 37') has its adjacenteend threadedly -disposedrinsar-r aperture in the contact armnltIl;-its;opposite;end

being connected to awspring III. The-cotlier.zenrl:v of thespr-ing l I I is supported-in: theosame. man-zv ner asthe outer; endioi-the .spring 53iin Rig. 2;,to an adjustable means which includes-5am inter: nally threaded member,- Ila-extending: through an aperture inthe framed 5::Where-it svenga fld bya screw I iE-eXtendingi thronghza lblQCk; I Iii-to cause variation in theiorce presentinrthe spring;

The ,rneans ,to indicate the-results -.ofiithe gag: ing.-.operationsin actual structure includesazmore complicated arrangement 1 of circuitsthan, is shown in Fig. 7'. but the simplified; vcircuits;-more easily illustrate 1 the; invention; which: resides mainly-in the mechanical features :of, the apps: ratus with identifying means of; anysuithbld-Wpfl responding. to the Various-1 gaging-- elements: A- part of the completecircuit arrangementincludes anplunger' IZIJxmovable in anaperture ofrithe bracket I! i and an aligned zaperturez; I2 I; inithe. frame I5 Where its:- inner end. supports-a projcce tion I 22 positioned to enga e-and actuate iar.-plungs er I23 of a switch- I 24. This switclirisoperated through its plunger I2 0 --each&;time:a a jack; strip: is moved into a r-position to gageroneiofqthegjacks therein. This actionoperatesthe switch Iflkandconnects the-circuits in Fig.1 7 betweenthercon: 135.0138

Attention is now. directed; to Figs 72 andi it: is recommended that: th mechanical features; of: Figs-12, 3 andfi .ais0:be.;-c0nsiderede lmonefoftthe circuitssassociated-zi with: the lever 2 53 therei is ya; lamp IZfifidentifiedfas \OsK. Tip'and-(aQzIampZ I21"; funtherridentified ias Defective-Tip. Theseslamps: arerespectively under .the control oflabreakscon tact: I28;and a;.make.contact.:.l 29.01 an armature i'3B3Ofia l'B1aya13 I i Normally I the lamp :I 26 will; light uporrloperathigmhe switch I24; inc1uding. its; contacts il 25, completinga-circuit fromgrounded battery-.5I32ithrougnicontacts I25; armature I30;

.; break icontacti I28;:,1amp;; i26 to.:ground.v HOW ever; it thevtensionrin the tipspring Qt-sis great:

enoughiztotmolle the lever 25 about..its-pivot against the forceoztit-he spring 53 to cause it to;

engagmthe. contact: screwatd'y a circuit :.includairelay;I3I:is;comp1eted from grounded bat-d ten?" ISBJthrough thewrelayalii I, thee-contact screws zandethronghntherlever;25 to ground Energi= zation .:.of.; the .zrelayw 13 I will u. operate. itsv armar tureel3i3; closingcontact lfisetocompletea circuit athroughathe lamp" 5 21. A similar; arrange-.- mentof;circuitsrisprovidd for: theslever 25 tin-e cludingsaglampltfijidentified as O. K; Ring; and; a.- ;1amp;;l35:idcntified "as Defective Rings In the present illustration, the leverl2ii is shown moved-1 aboutaitsgpivot by the ring; springvfl I :againstthe fQIJCGcOf theacalibrated, spring;.-.8l away fromits; stop .1 8 andgintoengagement. with. I the contact screvrilii; Priortomthisiaction, or, durin theanors malarrangement of the-circuit, the armature I 31- of-;the= -relay, I38 is against .itsbreak contact: I39 to. complete a circuit fromigrounded-battery; I40; through th-e lamp Uta-until the 1ever'25- enga es thecontact screw 85; This action-has,- howeven: completed a-circuit from grounded battery I through theirelay I 38, contact screw Stand lever; 2fi=to ground, energizingtherelay andcompleting a circuit, through-make contact 9 d2 and the lamp; l35 'zto'gltoundt- The-circuits areshown inthis; arrangement to; illustrate aqper-fect :j ack'. wherein the: tip: spring has not. more than fifty six ounces. ofntension when in: the flexed position assimilat.-- ing, its normal position when in use; while; the ring sprin ginits flexed-positionhasatension of more than twentyethreeiounces.

To .complete the- -requirements, there i must be: a' difierential of fourteen ounces. between the tensions. of,- the tip; and. ring; springs. This condition issindicated-by either one of'the lamps I44 or I 45: respectively identified a-s:0. K; Differential and Defective;Differential-.; These lamps areunder thecontrolof the-contact arm HID-and the associatedstructureshown inFigs 3, 6 and It will begrealizedi. that :the contacts and stops for thelevers-,=25-and; zit as ,well as their springs are supportedby the-floating table Eli: If the pressures,

onuthe-1evers25 anddfisdetermined-by the tensionsrin the springs 12!]- and 2i .were equal, these: pressures ewould cancel eachother as the levers have 1 equal multiplications as i the pressures; are equally-applied insoppositeflirections totheir respectiverleversr In-thisinstance there wouldrber no-iforcestendingto move the floatingtable. in eitheridirection; However, due to the required: difference in-the-tensions of the: spring under test, theiorceofthetip. spring exceeding the opposing- 'for-ce-of-zthe ring springwould tend tomovethe: table- (Fig; 7) to the-right. This force up to asgivenqlimit is counteracted by thespring; II I The force present in the spring I I I, how-- evenis-such-thatthecontact arm It!!! will be held: against itsqstop screw H33-:and:;will.1notbe moved: intovengagement, with ithe:contact screw I llaunti-l the differential.force ibetween the tip and ring; springsmquals; or .exceeds :fourteen ounces. The

: lamp I45 WiltbEilitifi the'diffzerential'tensionds less than fourteen ounces, this lamp being in a circuit which may be traced from grounded battery I41, through closed contacts I25, armature I48, break contact I49 and lamp I45 to ground. In the present illustration, with the contact arm I88 engaging the contact screw I89, a circuit has been completed from grounded battery I58 through relay II, contact screw I89 and contact arm I 88 to ground. Energization of the relay I5I has made contact I52 to complete a circuit from the grounded battery I41, through closed contacts I25 of switch I24, armature I48, make contact I52 and lamp I44 to ground.

The indexing mechanism of the apparatus is shown in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive, and broadly includes a supporting unit I55 on which the jack strips are supported between locating elements I56 and clamped in position by a holding bar I51. The work support I55 is mounted for lateral movement on parallel rods I 58 which are supported by a carriage I59, the carriage being movable in a direction to move the support and the jack strip longitudinally, these movements being relative to the nose I6.

The supporting unit I55 includes a table I68 upon which the locating elements I56 are mounted at adjusted positions depending upon the size of the jack strip to be gaged. Screws i62 extending through diagonal elongate openings I63 in the table E68 and. supporting springs I 64, hold the locating elements I56 in either one of the sets of locating positions, the diagonal openings permitting movement of the locating elements laterally on the table and also longitudinally toward or away from each other. Pairs of locating pins I6I mounted in the locating elements I56 at diagonally spaced positions are receivable in spaced pairs of openings or holes in the table I68 (Figs. 10 and 11). Although the pins serve to positively locate their elements I56 in either position, the elements may be easily shifted from one position to the other by upward movement of the screws I62 against the forces of their springs to move the pins free of one set of openings and transfer them to the other set of openings. Resilient members I65 positioned in recesses I66 of the 10- cating elements will engage mounting lugs at the ends of the jack strips to accurately locate the jack strips on the table I68.

The holding bar I51 is supported at its ends by racks I68 which are longitudinally apertured to slide upon supporting rods I69, the lower ends of which are threadedly disposed in apertures I18 (Fig. 9) of the table I68. The racks I68 interengage pinions I12 which are rotatably mounted upon stub shafts I13 supported by vertical end brackets I14 mounted upon the table I68. Gears I15 interengage their respective pinions I12 and are fixedly mounted upon stub shafts I16 suitably journalled in their brackets I14. Levers I18 mounted upon the outer ends of their respective shafts I16 are normally urged in a clockwise direction (Fig. 9) by their individual springs I88, extending from pins I8I in projections of the levers I13, to pins I62 in the adjacent edges of the table I68. A handle E85 connects the outer ends of the levers as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10. With the handle and its levers fixed to the shafts I16, movement thereof from a vertical position, which may be termed a loading position, to the horizontal position (shown in Figs. 8 and 9) will rotate the gears I15 counterclockwise to rotate the pinions I12 clockwise and move the racks I68 downwardly moving with them the holding bar I 51 until it engages and firmly holds the jack strip in place on the table. The formation of the bar and its relationship to the table will also straighten any of the jack strips being tested prior to the testing operations, should they be Warped. Movement of the handle and its levers i18 to the vertical position will move the gears 515, their pinions I12 and the racks I66 in the reverse directions from those previously described to lift the holding bar I51 free of the jack strip after the jack strip has been gaged so that it may be removed and another jack strip inserted in place. Means is provided to latch this mechanism in the holding position which includes a latch I81 adjacent each of the brackets I14 and having its projecting end receivable in a notch I88 in its respective bracket. The latches I81 are supported in housings I69 on their respective levers I18 wherein springs I98 (Fig. 9) normally urge the latches toward the brackets I14 so that they will be automatically forced into their notches 88 when moved to register therewith. A latch operating handle I9I connects the latches I81 and is positioned to be gripped by the hand of the operator While gripping the handle I85. The combined forces of the springs I88 are not sufficient to operate the clamping or holding mechanism but assist the operator in moving the mechanism to the open or loading position.

Longitudinally apertured bearing members I are mounted on the under surface of the table I68 and are longitudinally apertured to ride upon their respective rods I58. The support I55 is therefore free to move laterally upon the rods between given limits; one, wherein the jack strip is spaced from the nose I6; the other being the gaging position into Which any selected jack of the jack strip may be moved on to the nose to locate the leading ends of the tip and ring springs in the apertures of the nose and locate the sleeve I96 (Fig; 8) to engage the rounded base I91 of the nose I6.

The carriage I59 has upright portions or brackets 288 which carry the ends of the rods I58. Spaced pairs of rollers 28I support the carriage for its longitudinal movement, these rollers riding upon a base 283 between vertical guides 284 and beneath lateral guides 285. End plates 286, only one of which is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 close the ends of the guides 284 and 285 to limit movement of the carriage.

As previously described, the standard jack strips are of different sizes. The usual overall length of these jack strips is either 11 or 11%;". This variation can be taken care of through the adjustment of the locating elements I56. The spacing between the centerlines of adjacent jacks in different types of jack strips are within three dimensions, namely /2", -l" 0r 1". It is not only important but advantageous in lengthening the life of the apparatus, particularly that of the nose I6, and in relieving the operator of the strain of accurately aligning each jack centrally with the nose, to provide first temporary locating means by which the operator may realize that the selected jack is in general alignment with the nose and with an associated positive means to align each jack with the nose prior to moving the jack into engagement therewith.

The first locating means includes rows of recesses 288, 289 and 2I8 in the under surface of the carriage I59. All of these recesses are concaved to partially conform to their respective ball members 2I2, 2i3 and '2I4. The recesses 288 are in alignment and spaced apart between their centers, the recesses 289 being spaced 1" apart,

while the-recesses" 2 f a'r'e spaced rt' apart. It depends uponthe type of =jack strip under test as to just which row ofrecesses will'be employed. Inthe pr'esent" illustration, the recesses 269 are employed, the ball member 2 I3 being shown in position to be received inthe recesses. T The balls 2I'2, 2I3 and ZM- are'dis'pQsedin cutaway portions'2l'5 of' acylindrical support 2l6 and are backed by sp'r-ings zl'l normally urging the ball members upwardly limited by theirapertured cover plates 2I8 so that, as each recess is brought into registration therewith, 'the'forcein the associated spring II'I would- 'te'nd t"o stop the car- 'i'iage'atthat'positi'on. This stopping force is not sufficient to disturb'icingitudi-nal movement =of- -the carriage-but will definitely indicate to the operator that the jack at thatposition is in general alignment with-the n'ose lfi. The operator may then move the supporting unit 1 55' laterally to move the jack at the gaging position on to the nose. The 'cylindrical'supp'ort 2I6 has stepped 'enlarged'flange portions '22!) near its upper end to'nest inan aperture 221 "of asimilar contour in the base 203. The support H6 is' free to rotate in its aperture"when released by a holding 'pin'222 'which is receivable in anyone of three apertures 1223,1224 and 2.25 depending upon whether orinot the reta-ining ball members 2I3, -2 I2 or'2 I4 are to be held at the. operatin position. The ball mem'bersare located diiferent distances from the center oi -the support .2 I B-to register with their respective r0ws of recesses. The'pin 222 carries a knurled handle portion 228 at itszouter end so-thatthe operator may move the pin out- War'dly against "theforce --'0f'-a spring 229, the spring serving to hold the pin in its selected aperture.

The means for positively aligning. the jack at the gaging position with the nose H5 prior tolthe movement of the jack on tothe'nose, includes a locating block "23I -mounted upon the frame I'S and haVi'ngthree rows-of apertures 1232, 233 and 23-; at -dii'lerent levels therein. The apertures 2-32 are spaced apart-and correspond to'the recesses=2HL while the apertures 233 are spaced 1 apart and correspond to the recesses 2ll9ian'd theapertures 234 are-spaced /2""apart and'correspond'to'the'recesses- 208. *A'turret 236 rotatably supported in a mountin plate 23Tan'd in a recessed p0rti'0n238 ofthe table IE0 is cylindrical in general contour and' carries three 10- cating pins 2M, 2,42 and 243 at-d-ifferent levels to register with and be receivabie-i netheir respective apertures 232,-233-rand'2'3 i. -'The turret 236 is hel'd inany one *of the -three positions to present the-selected one of thethree locatingpins inth'e operating position bya'holdingpin 245 carried bythe mounting plate "231 and receivable :in any oneof the apertures 246524? or'248 which ourrespondto their respective pins MI, 242 and 243.

During-the operation of the "apparatus the operator usually leaves theappar-atus set for one type 'of jaokstrip=until all jack'strips of that particular typehave been gagedaft'er' which the apparatus is adjusted to gage one. or the other types of=jack strips. With the apparatus in'its present adjusted position, the jack strips to be tested are placedsinglyon the table I60 while the levers I18 are-intheirupward positions, the locating elements 156 will accurately locate the jack strip with respect-tothepin 242 (-Fig. 10) and the operator may loci; the-'jack strip int-place by movingthe handle I85 -downwardly, moving the levers T18 counterclockwise until-the latches I81 are received in their recesses I88. During this movement of the levers, their gears I15 will rotate thepinions I12 in -s, direction to inove the racks I-68'--'doWnward-ly "until-the holding-bar I51 extends across the 'ja'ckstrip and holds it firmly on the table. -The operator 'may gage the-sacks of the-'jack -strip in'any=given order,'-it-'-be1"ng customary, however, to start with the first jack at the ri'ght hafld end of the'jack strip' With'the supporting unit HiBand the carriage I BQnear the left end ofthe base'2fi3. "In this p'osition the balllmem'ber 213 may-benestedin the first recess299 at the extreme left temporarily =locating the 'lead'ing jac'kin alignment withth 'nose t 6.

The supporting "unit- I55 isthen moved laterally toward "the nosefthe pin 242 first entering th'e adjacent aperture 233 to positively *alig'nthe' first jack"with the-nose. "Subsequent to the pin"242 entering the aperture 233, *durin'g the lateral movement ofthe supporting unit I55, the 'jackto be gaged is nioved over the nose It to the po'sition shown-in Fig. 8 where the tipan'd ring springs will enter the respective apertures in-thencse a'nd contact their leading ends ofthe-leve'rs 25* and ii. During the last portion of the-lateral movement of the 'support'ing unit with the jack stripgthe leading surface of the jack strip Will-'eri'gagethe plunger I20 andmove it inwardly to operatethe switch I24, conditioning the indicating circuits shown in- Fig. 7' by closing their circuits- I25-"o n1y when thejack strip is stopped'by-the portion I91 ofthe nose. While the tip and ring springs move over the leading end =of the nose I6, the spr'in g's are-flexed so that; as they cometo r'est on their respective levers within the nose, they *will be in the positions they will assume'when in commercial use *in engagement with their 'parts of a pl'u'g. Aspreviousl ydescribed, itis' important that there be a differentiatten'sion-of fourteenounces the springskthe ring spring havinga tension,-when i'n the operated position'or-not less than twntythree ounces aridthe tip spring having'a tension of not more'tlia'jnfifty-sixfounces. These springs 'can beiaccurately-'gagd only by moving them into the-positiohsthe'y Willattain' when in-conirnercial use.

If the tensions of the springs are within the required limits the results will be indicated by the lamps E shown in Fig. 7. The tensions in the springs ofthe jack' being age'd are translated through --the associated mechanism 'travelling through the revere '25 and 26, their differential tensioncausingmovement pf'the" floating tableffi'il. The ring spring 2 I-to be'aceeptable must move the lever !fi about itsipivt' against the force ef tl'ie spring 8] -and into *co'nta'ot with the screw 86. Unless this happens, thenormallyclosed or} break contact I39 will complete a circuit throi-i-gh th'e lamp I36 showing 'that the 'rings'pri'ng is defecti'vei and-definitely indicating-that the tension therein is below tWnty -th-ree ounces. 1f however, the tens-ion i-n the ring sprin-g is sufficient to mov'e the-lever 2fi intdcontact-w-ith the contact screw -flfi the rela'y I 38' Will-be energized opening the circuitthrough- 'the 'lamp IS-B'an'd closing'the circuit through the lamp I'35. 'Dueto'the 'fa'ct that the tension in'the' tip springmustnot exceed fifty-six ounces the spring 53 is calibratedt'o hold thelizr 25 away from the contact scrw 'flfi unless-the tension in 'the'tip spring exceeds fiftysix ounces. If the tension of the tip spring is Within the required limits the normally closed or break contact I28 will complete a circuit through the- 0. Tip lamp I26. Should the tension in the tip spring 20, exceed fifty-six ounces the force 11 applied to the lever through the spring will overpower the force of the spring 53, move the lever into engagement with the contact screw 85 energizing the relay I3I, and operating its contact to complete a circuit through the lamp i2? indicating that the tip spring is defective. Conditions may exist wherein the tension in the tip spring is under fifty-six ounces and the tension in the ring spring is over twenty-three ounces, yet there may exist a defect which would render the jack unsatisfactory, this fact being due to the lack of a differential of fourteen ounces between the tensions in the springs. This condition, however, will be indicated by the lamp I whose circuit is normally closed unless there exists the differential of more than fourteen ounces sufficient to move the floating table laterally against the force of the spring III to move the contact arm Illil away from its stop I08 and into engagement with the contact screw IE9. When this occurs a circuit is completed through the contact screw I09 and the relay I5I to open the circuit through the lamp I45 and close the circuit through the lamp I45 indicating that there is a satisfactory differential tension in the springs.

The levers 25 and 26 are of the multiplying type and so arranged that the ratio of the short arm of the lever 25 to its long arm is the same as the ratio of the short arm of the lever 28 to its long arm, these relationships being determined from their pivots or fulcrums to the points of contacts with their jack springs for the short arms and from their pivots or fulcrums to their wires 41- 58 for the long arms. Furthermore, the horizontal forces applied to the short ends of the levers cause the opposite or long ends of their levers to move limited but multiplied distances in parallel, horizontal planes with respect to connections with their calibrated springs which lie in a common horizontal plane. These levers although they appear to be supported by their pivots employ their pivots only as fulcrums, their actual supports being the metal tapes 33 and 34 from which they are suspended. The floating table which provides the supporting means for the contact screws, the calibrated springs and the back stops or screws for the levers 25 and 2B is also suspended from the metal tapes 6| so that it may fioat and be moved by the relative forces or tensions in the tip and ring springs without affecting the results of the gaging operations. The main horizontal movement of the table adjacent the contact arm I00 is .002". Furthermore, the movements of the levers are small so that the tip and ring springs of the jack may be accurately gaged with the springs flexed into the positions they will assume when in commercial use. The multiplying nature of the levers 25 and 26 increases the horizontal travel of the long arms thereof with respect to the travel of the short arms. It is further important to note that the calibrated springs 53, 8| and III are of sufficient length that their expansion the small distance by their respective levers or the lateral movement of the table will have negligible effect.

The testing of the first jack has been de scribed. The operator has observed the indicating lamps and from them he has determined what should be done to the springs of the O. K. lamps have not all been illuminated. If the lamp I2? lights to indicate the tip spring defective, the operator may change the tip spring, through the aid of a pair of pliers, to reduce the tension therein moving the contact portion of the tip spring away from the ring spring 2I. If

12 the ring spring 2| should have less than twenty three ounces tension therein resulting in the lighting of the lamp I36, similar adjustments may be made in the ring spring not to decrease its tension, but to increase it. When these adjustments have been made, and the first jack springs prove satisfactory, the operator may then remove the first jack from the nose and prepare for gaging the second jack. To do this, the operator moves the supporting unit I55 with the carriage I59, longitudinally until he feels the carriage being stopped by the ball 2I3 entering the next recess 209 at which time the supporting unit may be moved laterally causing the pin 242 to enter the next aperture 233 in advance of the second jack extending on to the nose I6. If the operator should be careless and attempt to move the supporting unit I55 toward the nose prior to the preliminary aligning of the jack with the nose by the entrance of the ball member 2I3 into the proper recess 209, the pin 242 will strike the solid face of the block 23! and prevent further movement of the supportin Lmit I55 laterally. Also the same protection is provided should the operator attempt simultaneous longitudinal and lateral movement of the supporting unit. In this instance the pin 262 will first strike the solid face of the block 23I and move along in this position holding the supporting unit againstfurther lateral movement until the pin reaches the next adjacent aperture 233 at which time the supporting unit may be moved laterally but the jack at the gaging position will be aligned with the nose and the carriage will be held against further longitudinal movement.

When all of the jacks in this jack strip have been gaged and all of the jack strips of this type have been gaged, the operator may make the l necessary adjustments for the next type of jack strips adjusting the locating elements I56 as well as the cylindrical member 2I6 holding the ball members 2I2, H3 and 2M and adjusting the turret 236 to select the pin which should be employed for the type of jack strips next to be gaged.

Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for gaging jacks having tip and ring springs the tensions of which are to be gaged, a hollow nose to fiex the springs mounted at a fixed position and having spaced openings therein to receive the tip and ring springs respectively, levers pivotally supported adjacent the nose and having long and short arms, the short arms extending into the nose to positions adjacent theopenings therein to be engaged by their respective tip and ring springs, the tension in the flexed springs tending to rock the levers about their pivots, stops for the long arms of the levers, biasing springs having given forces comparable with the required tensions in the tip and ring springs to hold the long arms of the levers against the stops until known forces resulting from the tensions in the tip and ring springs are applied to the short arms of the levers, and means under the control of the levers to indicate whether or not the tip and ring springs have their required tensions.

2. In an apparatus for gaging jacks having tip 13 and ring springs the tensions of which are-to'be gaged, a hollow nose to flex-the springs mounted "-at a 'fixed position-and having spaced openings therein to receive the tip-and='ringsprings re- -'spectively, levers pivotally supported'adjacent the hose-and havinglongand short arms, the short arms-extending into the nose-to positions adjacent the openings'therein to be engaged by their "respective tip and ring-springs, the tension in the flexed springs tending to rock the levers about their pivots, stops for the long arms of the levers, biasingsprings having given forces comparable with the required tensions in the tip and'ring springs to hold the long arms of the levers against "the stops until known forces resulting from the tensions-in the tip andring springs are applied to the short arms of the levers, means under the "control of the levers to indicate Whether or not thetip and ring springs have their requiredten- "sinus-and means actuable by the relative movements of the levers to indicate the difference between' the tensions in the tip and ring springs.

'3. man apparatus for'gaging jacks having tip and ring'springs the tensions of which are to' be "gaged, levers pivotally mounted at fixed positions- "andhaving'long and short arms upon opposite sides oftheirpivots, the short arms being positioned to be engaged by their respective tip and "ring springs, means 'to support a jack for move- "inent With its tip and ring springs relative to the short arms of the leversfor engagement of the springs therewith, a spring flexing member mounted adjacent the short arms of the levers to be engaged by the 'tip'an'd ring springs as they aremoved'relative to the levers to flex the springs over theen'dsoi the said shortarms for engagement with the outer surfaces ofthe short arms of their respective levers, the tensions in the flexed springs tending to rock the levers about their -pivots, biasing means for the long arms of the levers to hold the levers against movement'about their pivots unless the tensions in'the springs exceed given limits, and means under the control of the levers to indicate whether or not the springs have their required tensions.

4. In an apparatus'for-gaging jacks having tip and ring springs the tensions of which are to be gaged, levers pivotally mountedatflxed positions and having long and short arms upon 0p- ,posite sides of theirpivotsQthe short arms being positioned to be engaged by their respective tip and. ring springs mea-ns to support-a jack for movement with itstip and ring springsrelative to. the short arms of the levers for engagement of the springs therewith, a spring flexing member mounted adjacent the shortarms of the levers to be engaged by-the tip and ring springs as they are moved relative to the levers to flex the springs over-the ends of the said shortaarms for engagement With the outer surfaces of the short arms of their respective levers, the tensions in theiiexed springs tending to rock the levers about their pivots, biasing means for the long arms of the levers to hold the levers against movement about their pivots unless thetensions in the springs. exceed given "limits, means under the control of the levers to indicate whether or not the springs'haveitheirrequired/tensions, and means under the control of the levers toindicate -the difference between the tensions in the tipand ring springs.

-5.In an-ap-paratus for gagingarticles'having flexible members each having adjacent lends fixedly mounted, meansto 'fiex the members'to create tensions therein by moving their free ends relative to their' fixed ends-to given positions gaging levers having adjacent ends positioned to' be engaged by the free ends of their respective flexible members, fulcrums for the gaging 'levers disposed intermediate theirends, biasing means for the gag-inglevers conneetedto-the ends thereof opposite those engaged by the "flexible mem- "bers-to' hold -the levers against movement unless the tensions in the flexed members'are beyond given values,'indicating meansfor each -gag-ing lever, separate a means rendered I effective upon movement'of their gauging levers bythe tensions intthe flexible members exceeding the effect-of the biasing means to operate their respective indicating means, :afloating table supporting the biasing means, means applying 1 a given iorce tending-to hold the table in a given position; and means operated by movement of the floating tabieto indicate a given-di'iferential tension-in the flexible members.

i 6. In an apparatus forgaging articles having flexible members each having adjacent ends -'fixedly*mounted,means to flex the members --to "create tensions therein by moving their free ends relative 'to their fixed ends to given positions, gaging' levers having adjacent ends positione'd'to be engaged by the free ends of their respective flexible members, fulcrums 7 for the-gaging levers dispose'd intermediate their ends, flexible tapes ftosupport the gaging levers adjacent their *cen- -ters of gravity, biasing means for the gaginglevers connected to the 'ends thereof "opposite those engaged by the flexible members to' hold the levers against movement unless the tensions in :the "flexed membersare beyond-given-va1ues-, inclicating' means 'for each gaging lever, and sepa- "rate' means renderedeffective upon movement of *theirgaging-levers by'the tensions in the flexible members *exceeding the effect of the biasing means *to operate their respective indicating "means.

7. man apparatus "for gaging articles having flexi-ble members each having adjacent ends fixedly mounted;means to flex the members to create tensions therein by movingtheir free ends *relativeto'their 'fixed endsto given positions, gaginglevers having adjacent ends positioned "to be engaged by'tne free ends oftheir respective flexible members, fulcrums for 1 the gaging levers "disposed intermediate theirends, variablebias'ing fn eans'for thegagin'g levers connected'to, the ends thereof opposite those engaged "by the flexible members to hold the levers against movement unless the tensions in the flexed members are beyond {given variable values, indicating means for each gaging lever, and separate means 'rendered'efiective upon movement of theirgaging levers by the tensions in the flexible members exceeding the effect of the biasing means to operate'their respective indicating means.

'8. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged 'by'the said springs, a table to support a jack strip, meansto locate the jack strip on the table, and means to support the table for movement thereof with the jack strip to singly position the jacks on the nose with-their springs contacting the gaging elements. v

'9'. In an apparatus 'for gaging jack strips particularly the plugengaging spring in thejacks thereof, a gaging unit'inoluding a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be enga by the said springs, a table to support a jack strip, means to locate the jack strip on the table, and a carriage to support the table for lateral movement toward and away from the nose to move the jacks of the jack strip onto and oil of the nose, and for longitudinal movement of the table to successively position the jacks in alignment with the nose.

10. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support a jack strip, means to locate the jack strip on the table, a carriage to support the table for lateral movement toward and away from the nose to move the jacks of the jack strip onto and off of the nose, and for longitudinal movement of the table to successively position the jacks in alignment with the nose, and means tending to stop movement of the carriage to align the jacks with the nose.

11. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support a jack strip, means to locate the jack strip on the table, a carriage to support the table for lateral movement toward and away from the nose to move the jacks of the jack strip onto and off of the nose, and for longitudinal movement of the table to successively position the jacks in alignment with the nose, means tending to stop movement of the carriage to align the jacks with the nose, and positive means to align the jacks singly with the nose prior to movement of the jack onto the nose.

12. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support a jack strip, means to locate the jack strip on the table, a carriage to support the table for lateral movement toward and away from the nose to move the jacks of the jack strip onto and ofi of the nose, and for longitudinal movement of the table to successively position the jacks in alignment with the nose, and means to hold the carriage against lateral movement during longitudinal movement thereof.

13. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support jack strips of various types having jacks therein spaced varied distances between their plug engaging centers, variable means to locate the jack strips singly on the table, and means to support the table for movement thereof with the jack strip to singly position the jacks on the nose with their springs contacting the gaging elements.

14. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements ext-ending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support jack strips of various types having jacks therein spaced varied distances between their plug engaging centers, variable means to locate the jack strips singly on the table, a carriage to support the table for lateral movement toward and away from the nose to move the jacks of the jack strip onto and off of the nose, and for longitudinal movement of the table to successively position the jacks in alignment with the nose, and variable means selectively actuable for the various types of jack strips to singly align the jacks thereof with the nose.

15. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support jack strips of various types having jacks therein spaced varied distances between their plug engaging centers, variable means to locate the jack strips singly on the table, a carriage to support the table for lateral movement toward and away from the nose to move the jacks of the jack strip onto and off of the nose, and for longitudinal movement of the table to successively position the jacks in alignment with the nose, variable means selectively actuable for the various types of jack strips to singly align the jacks thereof with the nose, and to limit lateral movement .of the table to hold the selected jack strip against movement into engagement with the nose until a jack thereof is in alignment therewith.

16. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support a jack strip, means to locate the jack strip on the table, means to support the table for movement thereof with the jack strip to singly position the jacks on the nose with their springs contacting the gaging elements, and means to clamp the jack strip against relative movement on the table.

17. In an apparatus for gaging jack strips particularly the plug engaging spring in the jacks thereof, a gaging unit including a hollow nose having apertures at spaced positions and gaging elements extending into the nose to be engaged by the said springs, a table to support a jack strip, means to locate the jack strip on the table, means to support the table for movement thereof with the jack strip to singly position the jacks on the nose with their springs contacting the gaging elements, indicating lamps in electrical circuits controlled by the gaging elements responsive to the tensions in the jack springs, and a switch operated to render the circuits effective by the jack strip each time a jack thereof is disposed in gaging position .on the nose.

CHESTER W. ANDERSON. LLOYD D. HANSEN. DWIGHT E. OVERMYER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number Name Date 1,336,543 Stull Apr. 13, 1920 1,915,289 Broadus June 27, 1933 2,200,348 Summers May 14, 1940 2,285,166 Malhiot June 2, 1942 

